Orthopedic device



Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,063,818 l oRTHoPEDIcDEVICE Jacob Mankinen, Ashtabula, ohio' Application April 23, 1936,Serial No; 76,055

4 claims. (c1. 12s- 69)V This invention relates to certain new anduseful improvements in orthopedic devices.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an orthopedic devicein the form of a foot exerciser for the massage and treatment of fallenarches and for the straightening of` hammer toes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an orthopedic device ofthe foregoing character in the form of a roller having an intermediateslightly bellied portion gradually merging into reduced concaved endnecks that terminate in end roller heads with abrupt angles andabutments eliminated, resulting in gradual curved surfaces whereby oneor both feet of a person using the orthopedic device may be placedthereon for rolling contact and at positions best suited for the degreeof fallen arch or particular curvature of the feet of the user toaccomplish the best results, for foot massage and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide an othopedic device ofthe foregoing character wherein a cushioned loop frame is detachablyengaged with the body portion of the device and is adapted to be engagedwith the toes of the user in a manner whereby pressure is exerted on theupper sides of the toes to press the toes downwardly and acting tostraighten the toes for the treatment of hammer toes.

With the above and other objects in view that will become apparent asthe nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists inthe novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter morefully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an orthopedic device constructedin accordance with the present invention, the same being in the form ofa foot exerciser and of roller-like construction with an attachment forthe treatment of hammer toes;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing transversely extendingopenings in the roller for the removable reception of the ends of thecushioned wire frame for the treatment of hammer toes; and

Figure 3 is an end elevational View.

The orthopedic device is in the form of a roller embodying a centralbody portion 5 that is substantially cylindrical but slightly belliedand each end of the central body portion 5 carries an annularly reducedconcaved neck 6, each of which flares outwardly at its outer end to forma cylindrical head 1, the periphery of which is substantially in theplane of the central body portion 5 to cooperate with and providerolling contacts vforal iloor or other surface.

The roller comprising the central body portion 5 and the reduced endnecks 6 are designed for foot massage purposes and for the correction offallen arches, it being observed that the central body portion 5gracefully merges into the reduced end necks 6 so that all abrupt anglesand abutment shoulders are eliminated.

As shown more clearly-in Figure 2, a pair of transversely extendingopenings 1 are formed in the roller respectively adjacent opposite endsof the central body portion 5 and the inner ends of the necks 6 for theremovable reception of the side legs 8 of a wire or similar frame 9 thatis used for the treatment of hammer toes. The frame 9 is covered by arubber or similar tube I0 that extends downwardly over portions of thetwo legs 8 to prevent metal contact of the toe straightening frame withthe toes of the user of the device. The frame may be adjusted relativeto the roller to accommodate its use to feet of different sizes and thedegree of leverage imparted thereto during rolling movement of theroller for causing the frame to engage the toes.

To use the device for the massaging of the feet in the treatment offallen arches and the like, the frame 9 is removed and the roller placedon a flat surface, such as a rug covered floor and both feet may besimultaneously engaged with the roller and at desired points relative tothe central bellied portion 5 and the concaved end necks 6 toaccommodate certain curved portions of the roller to particularcurvatures of the feet. By moving the feet forwardly and backwardly, thesame move over the roller which produces a stimulating massage withcorrections of any tendency toward fallen arches. Such treatments mayinitially begin adjacent the central slightly bellied portion 5 and thefeet gradually worked outwardly into the concaved reduced neck portions6.

When it is desired to treat hammer toes and similar toe ailments, theframe 9 has the legs 8 thereof adjustably positioned in the openings 1of the roller and the toes of the foot with the exception of the greattoe are placed within the looped portion of the frame on the rollerportion 5, the latter rolled by the foot until the frame 9 movesdownwardly into engagement with the toes sufficiently to exert apressure thereon, the device being retained in such position until theVuser senses a tiring sensation of the anterior muscles of the leg. Thestrain on the anterior muscles of the leg or the stretching thereofoperate to correct the tendency of hyperextension of the toes upward andbackward and coincidently With this action, the anterior arch of thefoot receives a corrective treatment by the upward pressure of theroller thereon.

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believedthat the construction and operation thereof Will at once be apparent andWhile there is herein shown and described the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changesmay be made therein Without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as claimed.

I claim:-

1. An orthopedic device including a roller having a central portion withend concaved necks and enlarged roller heads at the outer ends of thenecks, a pair of transverse openings in the roller, respectivelyadjacent the ends of the central portion, a U-shaped Wire frame havingthe legs thereof removably and adjustably received in the openings and acushion covering for the exposed portion of the wire frame.

2. An orthopedic device including a roller having a central portion withend concaved necks and enlarged roller heads at the outer ends 0f thenecks, having their peripheries substantially in the plane of thecentral portion, a pair of transverse openings in the roller,respectively adjacent the ends of the central portion, a U-shaped Wireframe having the legs thereof removably and adjustably received in theopenings and a cushion covering for the exposed portion of the Wireframe.

3. An orthopedic device including a roller having a central portion withend concaved necks and enlarged roller heads at the outer ends of thenecks, the central portion being slightly bellied and merging into theend neck portions in the absence of abrupt angles and abutmentshoulders, a pair of transverse openings in the roller, respectivelyadjacent the ends of the central portion, a U-shaped Wire frame havingthe legs thereof removably and adjustably received in the openings and acushion covering for the exposed portion of the Wire frame.

4. An orthopedic device including a roller having a central portion withend concaved necks and enlarged roller heads at the outer ends of thenecks, having their peripheries substantially in the plane of thecentral portion, the central portion being slightly bellied and merginginto the end neck portions in the absence of abrupt angles and abutmentshoulders, a pair of transverse openings in the roller, respectivelyadjacent the ends of the central portion, a U-shaped Wire frame havingthe legs thereof removably and adjustably received in the openings and acushion covering for the exposed portion of the Wire frame.

JACOB MANKINEN.

